Printing is an ancient and important art and craft that is applicable to all walks of life. For printing novices or printing novices, understanding the basics of printing is the first step to get started. Printing basics include the history and development of printing, common printing techniques, printing materials and tools, and common printing terms, etc. Li Qiuyuan shares with you the second issue of printing basics.

1. Overprinting

Overprinting is a printing method that superimposes multiple colors or images on the same sheet of paper to achieve complex color effects and patterns. Overprinting can be achieved by superimposing different printing plates or using color mixing techniques. In overprinting, each layer of color or image needs to be printed using a separate printing plate. During each printing process, the printer adds another layer of color or image in the appropriate position, gradually superimposing to form the final effect. By precisely aligning and controlling the color levels, colorful patterns and details can be created.

Overprinting is often used to create complex illustrations, patterns, posters, albums, magazine covers, and other printed products that require multiple colors or layers. It can achieve rich color transitions, gradients, and blending effects, making the prints artistic and attractive.

2. Overprinting

Overprinting is a printing method that overprints multiple printed colors layer by layer on paper to eventually form the desired pattern or image. In overprinting, each layer of printing needs to be completed using a separate printing plate or color ink. During the printing process, each color layer will be printed in the appropriate position, and the upper color will cover or penetrate the lower color, gradually superimposing to form the desired effect. By controlling the superposition order of printing colors and layers, a rich variety of color and image effects can be achieved.

Overprinting is often used to produce color prints, such as books, magazines, posters, brochures, and packaging boxes. It can achieve rich color changes, brightness and darkness adjustments, and details. Overprinting can also use special inks and printing techniques, such as metallic inks, fluorescent inks, luminous inks, etc., to enhance the visual effect.

3. Die-cutting

Traditional die-cutting refers to a cutting process for post-processing of printed products. The die-cutting process can make printed products or other paper products into die-cutting plates according to pre-designed graphics for cutting, so that the shape of the printed product is no longer limited to straight edges and right angles. In traditional die-cutting production, die-cutting knives are combined into die-cutting plates according to the patterns required by the product design. Under the action of pressure, the printed matter or other plate-shaped blanks are rolled into the required shape or cut marks. The creasing process uses a creasing knife or a creasing die to press out the line marks on the sheet material through the action of pressure, or uses a rolling wheel to roll out the line marks on the sheet material, so that the sheet material can be bent and formed according to the predetermined position.

4. Bleeding

In printing, bleed refers to the situation where the image or design on the edge of the printed matter exceeds the final trimming size. The so-called trimming size refers to the size of the final printed matter after cutting. Bleeding is to ensure that the printed matter does not leave any white edges or unprinted areas after trimming. Due to factors such as the working principle of the printing press, it is difficult to extend the color to the area outside the trimming line. Therefore, when making printing documents, designers usually need to extend the background or image to the area outside the trimming line, usually adding a certain bleed area on the basis of the trimming size. The common bleed size is usually 3mm or 5mm.

5. Proofing

Proofing refers to the process of printing a negative film made by photographic methods or electronic color separation machines and properly trimmed before printing or using other methods to show the platemaking effect. The purpose is to confirm whether the settings, processing and operations in the printing production process are correct, and to provide customers with samples of the final printed products, which are not required to be exactly the same as the final printed products in terms of visual effects and quality. Proofing can be roughly divided into three methods, namely proofing by proofing machine, (color powder) simple proofing, and digital proofing. Proofing, that is, a small amount of trial printing of printed products, is the process of printing the prepared color separation printing plates separately according to the specified colors through the proofing machine to produce map samples.

6. Post-press processing

Post-press processing refers to a series of processing and processing procedures carried out after the printing of printed products is completed. It is carried out to further improve the quality and function of printed products. Post-press processing includes many different technologies and methods, such as folding, binding, hot stamping, lamination, embossing, etc.